December 10 2013

Premier League

Robert Seltzer explains how he thinks Crystal Palace should approach the games against the bigger teams of the Premier League.

There is a new optimistic feeling around Selhurst at the moment, and rightly so. Five games, three wins, a draw and a loss and only one goal conceded – that's European form!

The Premier League is split into three leagues – the 'haves', the 'nearly haves' and the 'have nots'. We know that we are in the 'have nots' league. While teams like Man City and Chelsea can pay their managers a yearly wage more than our squad cost, we have to be realistic what to expect.

We have been superb in the last few games. Beating teams we need to beat, Hull, West Ham and Cardiff. Chelsea are next on the horizon, and rightly so, the team and fans head there in buoyant mood, we can get something from this game.

There is plenty of speculation how to approach this game. A lot of people are saying go for broke, what do we have to lose – a lot.

If we go to Chelsea and get a thumping, the confidence could take a huge hit and more importantly the goal difference will, which I think will be more important this year than in a long time.

We have been successful, closing teams down, keeping it tight and hitting them on the break. Yes Chelsea have a higher standard of player but we have to just get amongst them.

Whether you are a professional player or playing in the school yard, there is nothing more frustrating than someone nipping at your heels, especially if you think you are a better player than them, this is what we need to do.

It would be suicidal to try and attack teams like Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal etc. It would be like an 800 metre runner taking on Usain Bolt at the 100 metres, they would give it a good go, but would get nowhere near him.

We need players like Mile Jedinak, Kagisho Dikagoi to nip at heels and break up play. Yes they will get booked but that is the sacrifice they will have to make.

We will need to soak up that pressure, frustrate the top teams and try a sneak a goal on the break or nick one from a set piece. Glamorous it isn’t, necessary it is. Players like the couple mentioned along with Barry Bannan, Marouane Chamakh and Joel Ward need to be playing against the 'have nots' and the 'nearly haves'.

These are the games we can look to win. We played brilliantly against Cardiff and Hull and snuck it against West Ham.

While it is nice to dream and go to places like The Etihad and Emirates, we are not on their level just yet. We do have the right man in the job in Tony Pulis though that knows exactly how to get something from these games, it’s going to be a very exciting season. COYP!